[Image Source: jaguar cars USA]

In a move that's about to go down as smoothly with the Party Faithful as putting a cobra in a pit of Indian mongooses, Jaguar Cars is removing the fabled leaper from the hoods of U.S. bound XJ sedans.

It wasn't enough that the folks in Coventry butchered the flagship's front end with hideous 1970s inspired aero kit in the most recent refit. They had to take away what to Americans was the marque's single defining emblem.

Piloting a Jaguar behind a leaping chrome cat is as unmistakable as wafting behind the Spirit of Ecstasy or cruising behind the Tri-Star. It's a priviledged experience that inspires the driver.

That bit of inspiration is now gone, doubtless due to cost cutting and to what will likely signal a transition into a world of leaperless Jags. Or no Jags at all.

[Source: Jaguar Cars USA]